Monday 16th April

Williams via Wupatki was our next destination with more open roads and dramatic changes in landscape and a surprising little reminder that America is older and full of more history than we often give it credit, with the appearance of dinosaur tracks and fossilised eggs not far from the Native American town of Tuba City. However, what came across the most strongly throughout the day was the divide between the cultures of the Native Americans and that of the Americans. Our guide was of Native American origin and sadly this was not the first time that day we had heard talk of the white man trying to claim everything as their own and for their own benefits. We had previously been spoken to by one man in Tuba City reminding us to respect the land and to remember who it belonged to, and as our dinosaur track guide explained what was happening in the area it was not hard to see why there is still so much animosity today between Americans and the natives. A small forest area on the rock cliffs was pointed out to us, the place were this woman and her family and friends live which also happens to be the home of natural water springs, water we were told has a special meaning and that is considered to be a life source. The United States wants to take this water to use for another city despite it being on Native American land and it is deeply upsetting to the Indians that they have to continue to fight in order to keep it. Later in the day our visit to the Wupatki National Monument brought to light other cases of cultures clashing, with the Pueblo people not being allowed to stay on the land and denied any recognition that the land belonged to them after the area became a park. More recent than that the Hopi people were denied access to the site for a religious pilgrimage they make annually. The director of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, Leigh J. Kuwanwisiwma made the following statement which brings into question whether the first amendment is really being upheld “On one hand, they eloquently preach about their relationships and partnership with the Hopi Tribe and on the other hand, they systematically interfere with and prevent practice of Hopi religion. We question their ability to be good caretakers of our ancestral villages. Their mistreatment of Hopi people will not be tolerated. We consider the First Amendment an important right for Hopis. If Hudson, Henderson, Tom Metzger and Kim Watson, all employees of the park, have their religious rights protected, why can't the Hopi?"

 References:

‘Los Angeles Times: Hopis Demand Right to Raid Eagles’ Nest - Matt Kelley’ http://articles.latimes.com/2000/aug/20/local/me-7462.



‘Northern Arizona University, Press Release: The Hopi Tribe’ http://www8.nau.edu/hcpo-p/wupatki.pdf?”